The cache is an ammo box. Initial contents includes assorted swag and six copies of the Wachusett Reservoir gates and fire trails map. For those who require maps *before* you start, look here:
https://www.mass.gov/doc/wachusett-reservoir-forest-roads-and-gates/download
You can park your car in the parking area at N 42 23.991, W 071 44.269, near gate 35. Access to this cache requires a fair walk, about 30 minutes at a modest walking pace (2 mph). There are several fire trails you can take. Some lead closer to the cache while others lead to adjacent areas. You may need additional time depending on the trails you select. This summer (2007) repairs are being made to the dam in Clinton so the water level is a good four feet lower than usual, making shoreline walks pleasant (and an alternate route to the right place).
Tahanto Point is close to the narrows, the closest point between the north and south shores, and offers a fine view of Wachusett Reservoir. 'Tahanto' refers to George Tahanto (or Tahatawom) who was chief of the Nashaway tribe in 1700, which inhabited the area near the Nashua river. The Nashaways were considered part of the Algonquins who in turn were considered part of the Nipmucs, all part of tribal structures of interior Massachusetts. Tahanto sold a tract of land in the region of (now) Wachusett Reservoir to settlers in 1701. This is in the era of King Phillip's War where the expansion of the settlers was frequently met with attacks and killings of settlers and indians. Here is the text of the deed. It was digitized by Google from the original at Harvard University:
THE HISTORY OF LEOMINSTER, OR THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE LANCASTER NEW OR ADDITIONAL GRANT, FROM JUNE 26,1701, THE DATE OF THE DEED FROM GEORGE TAIIANTO, INDIAN SAGAMORE, TO JULY 4, 1852. BY DAVID WILDER. FITCHBURG: PRINTED AT THE REVEILLE OFFICE, 1853.
The following is a copy of the Indian deed of the New Grant, the bargain with George Tahanto and other Indians, for lands of them purchased. "Know all men by these presents, that I, George Tahanto, Indian Sagamore, for and in consideration of what money, namely, twelve pounds, was formerly paid to Sholan, my uncle, sometime Sagamore of Nashuah, for the p'ur- chase of said township and also forty-six shillings formerly paid by Insigne John Moore and John Houghton of said Nashuah to James Wiser, alias Quenepenett, now deceased, but espec- ially for and in consideration of eighteen pounds paid part, and the rest secured to be paid, by John Houghton and Nathaniel Wilder, their heirs, executors and assigns forever, a certain tract of land on the West side of the Westward line of Nashuah township, adjoining to said line, and butts southerly for the most part on Nashuah river, bearing westerly towards Wa- chusett Hills, and runs northerly as far as Nashuah township, and which lands and meadows, be it more or less, to be to the said Insigne, John Moore, John Houghton, and Nathaniel Wilder, their heirs and assigns, to have and to hold forever. And I, the said George Ta- hanto, do hereby promise and engage to procure an order from the honored General Court, for their allowance and confirmation of the sale of said' lands as aforesaid, and also that I will show and mark out the bounds of said land in convenient time, not exceeding four months, and also to make such deeds and conveyances, as may be necessary for the confirmation of the premises, and that also I, the said George Tahanto, do by these presents, fully notify and confirm, all and every, the said township of Nashuah, alias Lancaster, to the Inhabitants and Proprietors thereof according as it was formerly granted to them or their an- cestors by my Uncle Sholan, and laid out to them by Ensign Thomas Noyes, and confirmed by the Hon. General Court.
For the performance of all the above said, I, the said George Tahanto, have set my hand and seal this twenty sixth day of June, in the 13th year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, William, the Third, over England, &c.,King, Annoque Domini, 1701.
Signed and Sealed in presence of GEORGE TAHANTO, his O mark. MARY AUNSOCAMUG, her ) mark. JOHN WONSQUON, his ) mark. JOHN AQUITTICUS, Ms I mark. PETER PUCKATAUGH, his P mark. JONATHAN WILDER. JOHN GUILD."
The above is a copy of the deed as it stands upon the Proprietor's Records. The following is the confirmation "Annoque Regni Annse Eeginae Duodecimo." "At a Great and General Court or Assembly for her Majesty's province of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, begun and held at Boston, May 27, 1713. "